A Stoic’s Guide To A Philosophical Playlist

When viewed through the lens of philosophy, music has a lot to say. Whether it’s rock, hip hop or country, the listener takes their own meaning from the song, rhythm and beat. For me, there are songs that resonate with Stoicism and help to put me in the Stoic mindset.

Here’s a list of tracks that can help you to Stoic it up and bear in mind that this list is entirely subjective. Each of the songs has a personal connection to me and you may find there are other tunes that best describe your own philosophy.

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Seneca: A Life Review: A Nuanced Portrayal Of One Of History’s Most Complex Figures

When it comes to studying the Stoics, Seneca is often cited as one of the most prolific because of the number of works he produced and the sources about his life. A complicated man, Seneca was a proud Stoic who often lived at odds with the philosophy he claimed to love under the corrupt regime of Nero.

Was Seneca a philosopher who sought the simple life? Was he a hypocrite who failed to practice what he preached? Was he a man who found himself in an impossible situation and did the best he could to mitigate the excesses of an emperor? Was he all of these things and more?

Such questions are the topic of Emily Wilson’s Seneca: A Life, which provides a nuanced portrayal of one of antiquity’s most complex figures.

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Exploring Accidental Philosophy And The Motion Of Travel Writing With Eric Weiner

Everyone comes to philosophy in different ways. For famous thinkers like Thoreau and Montaigne it was by accident and author Eric Weiner fell into the same role of an accidental philosopher over the course of his life.

A best-selling New York Times author of books like The Geography Of Bliss and The Socrates Express, Weiner talks about his work as a journalist, grumpy philosophers he has a lot in common and more on Stoic Athenaeum.

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How To Be An Epicurean Sommelier

Seeking pleasure in life is natural. It’s a goal we all strive for and there’s a lot to be said about pleasure from a philosophical point of view. Pleasure has become synonymous with being an epicurean, someone who likes indulging in luxury, fine meals and experiences. Yet this view misses the point of what true Epicureanism is in relation to food and culinary experiences like wine tasting and more.

From the perspective of being a sommelier, Epicureanism has some interesting connotations and in this article you’ll learn how to embrace the philosophy the next time you’re serving customers.

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